[plaidturtle]

1. I don't think the drivers can see how much you tip.

2. In case of restaurants in the US, generally servers make very little without tip. When you pay you are paying the restaurant and not the person who serve you food. I know it's different in other countries but that's just how things are here.

[sagivo]

> generally servers make very little without tip

So pay them more. isn't the whole point of paying for a meal is to include expenses like paying employees? By paying tips you actually contributing to a system that doesn't pay to employees.

[Kurtz79]

"So pay them more."

As a European that is also often uncomfortable with this typical US "custom", I think it is kind of an arrogant statement to make.

It is just a different way to do things, and I'm not sure what servers would choose given the option.

In Europe servers tend to work long hours, often at minimum wage (I worked briefly as one, while studying), it's not like they are treated substantially better.

At least in the US you can count on the occasional generous tip, and good servers tend to work for it.

[eivarv]

How is it arrogant?

In European countries with minimum wages one can live off of, they are per definition treated substantially better.

Not only is this not always the case in the US, but there are exceptions from minimum wage in professions with tips.

[Notre1]

But, if you decide not tip someone, especially a food service worker that you know is only making $2.35/hour, then you are punishing that worker. Punishing them vastly more than you are punishing are system or the employer. If you really don't want to support tipping culture, don't use any service/store that allows for it and petition your legislature to change the laws.

[PhantomGremlin]

a food service worker that you know is only making $2.35/hour

This varies by state. For example, in Oregon the minimum wage is $9.75, and, importantly: Oregon is one of the few states that does not allow employers to take a tip credit. Employees must be paid at least the full state minimum wage, whether or not they also earn tips.

Despite this "high" wage, there is no shortage of restaurants in Oregon. Somehow good restaurants do manage to stay in business here.

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/oregon-laws-tipped-em...

[Pyxl101]

> But, if you decide not tip someone, especially a food service worker that you know is only making $2.35/hour

In the USA, all tipped employees always earn at least the federal minimum wage. There is no such thing as a service worker making $2.35 per hour.

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs15.htm

It's possible that food service workers might earn a lot more than minimum wage with tips, such that taking away their tips would hurt their compensation. Perhaps - it's still arguably no concern of the patron. If I'm buying an automobile from a car dealership, should I pay extra because the poor car salesman needs his commission? I don't think so. His compensation is between him and the leadership. It is fair that I negotiate the lowest possible price, and a price that works for me.

Regardless of all that, my primary point is that it is incorrect to claim that servers will make less than minimum wage without tips. They always earn minimum wage and so this is not a reason to justify tipping.

[flukus]

> But, if you decide not tip someone, especially a food service worker that you know is only making $2.35/hour

No, the society they live in is punishing them.

[estomagordo]

But it's hardly the patrons' responsibility to mitigate a horrible labour situation.

[watwut]

In USA, even minimum salary for servers is lover then minimum salary for other workers - the law expects the tips. Whole American culture expects patrons to pay directly to server.

[Pyxl101]

> In USA, even minimum salary for servers is lover then minimum salary for other workers - the law expects the tips.

Not true. The federal minimum wage for servers and other tipped employees is the same as other employees: it's just the minimum wage.

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs15.htm

[watwut]

"Where an employee does not receive sufficient tips to make up the difference between the direct (or cash) wage payment (which must be at least $2.13 per hour) and the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference."

Interesting, they did not told us that part when I worked in USA in summer. Cooks got 6.5$ and that was minimum wage in there. Servers got 1.5$ and had to report all tips to be taxed. Then again, servers earned more overall, so minimum wage was not really an issue for them.

[sokoloff]

Literally the third sentence in your link provides support for GP's position:

"The employer is prohibited from using an employee’s tips for any reason other than as a credit against its minimum wage obligation to the employee (“tip credit”)"

[Pyxl101]

You are mistaken. Please read the rest of the article, and the comment that is a peer to yours.

"Where an employee does not receive sufficient tips to make up the difference between the direct (or cash) wage payment (which must be at least $2.13 per hour) and the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference."

[moonshinefe]

I agree with this sentiment. I hate the 'tip culture' too, but it's not going to change overnight and the reality is, if you aren't tipping people in the US (and Canada, btw), the worker is getting far less compensation.

It should change, but this particular Uber situation isn't going to be the straw that broke the camel's back I'm afraid.

[OoTheNigerian]

Can the drivers know IF you tipped?

Then let the restaurants pay their servers more. Or put it in the bill. "service charge" it is called. Don't leave me with calculations to do and faux hospitality from waiters being nice only because of money.

I'd hate to have to do a "little dance" and show extra teeth every time I serve someone.

[plaidturtle]

From my previous conversations with Lyft drivers, if I recall correctly they get a sum weekly/biweekly and don't see who tipped.

I used to live in a country where tipping wasn't a thing. But having lived in the US for a while now I actually like it. It gives the servers incentive to do well. Also you always have the option to not tip if the service is really bad. I understand your frustration, though. Perhaps, I've gotten too used to it haha.

[zuppy]

Ok, this may work for drivers, but what about the kitchen staff at restaurants, don't they deserve more? Do you think the waiters share the tip? This is a horrible way to solve problems, everyone should receive a fair pay directly, by their employer.

[repomies691]

> 2. In case of restaurants in the US, generally servers make very little without tip. When you pay you are paying the restaurant and not the person who serve you food. I know it's different in other countries but that's just how things are here.

Yeah, this applies only to US. It is a fucked up system. Everyone else people are rational and tips are not excepted - the service is excepted in the price.

[dazc]

It applies in plenty of other countries too, although not to such a high degree.